Law Enforcement Crisis Solutions Team
Amanda Stamps retired from the Mesa Police Department after nearly 24 years dedicated to her passion for helping others. Throughout her career, she served in various roles, including a patrol officer, field training officer, and detective with the Special Victim's Unit. Her work extended to Community Engagement and Youth Development, as a member of the peer support team, and most recently as the department's Crisis Intervention Team Program Coordinator, focusing on effective crisis intervention training for officers.
As a recognized Subject Matter Expert in mental health awareness, Detective Stamps has educated law enforcement personnel both at the academy level and during ongoing training sessions. She also provides essential training for communication and detention staff. Her commitment to community service includes offering specialized training classes for the Autism community.
In 2015, she became the first full-time CIT Program Coordinator for the Mesa Police Department, contributing significantly to the establishment of the Crisis Response Team and the innovative co-responder model. Through her consulting efforts in law enforcement, Detective Stamps was instrumental in developing the call diversion program that successfully redirects hundreds of calls to the crisis system. Her collaborative work across various agencies in Arizona has led to the advancement of evidence-based crisis intervention training programs.
Detective Stamps has been a CIT officer since 2004, holding a BA in Psychology from the University of Alabama-Huntsville and a M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Relations from Northern Arizona University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Behavioral Health at Arizona State University College of Health Solutions.
As an active member of NAMI and CIT International, as well as a board member of Mental Health America-Arizona, Detective Stamps is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness. In 2019, she was honored as Detective of the Year and has received multiple accolades, including a life-saving award from the Mesa Police Department.
In her current role in the private sector with a large non-profit, she focuses on law enforcement consulting and continues to advise both behavioral health agencies and first responders to enhance crisis intervention training. Her efforts aim to improve the lives of individuals in crisis and empower the first responders who assist them.
Detective Stamps has been a CIT officer since 2004, holding a BA in Psychology from the University of Alabama-Huntsville and a M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Relations from Northern Arizona University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Behavioral Health at Arizona State University College of Health Solutions.
As an active member of NAMI and CIT International, as well as a board member of Mental Health America-Arizona, Detective Stamps is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness. In 2019, she was honored as Detective of the Year and has received multiple accolades, including a life-saving award from the Mesa Police Department.
In her current role in the private sector with a large non-profit, she focuses on law enforcement consulting and continues to advise both behavioral health agencies and first responders to enhance crisis intervention training. Her efforts aim to improve the lives of individuals in crisis and empower the first responders who assist them.
Meet Susan Cabano
Susan Cabano serves as Chief Operating Officer at Practical Law Enforcement Crisis Solutions, where she provides strategic and operational leadership to enhance the organization’s programs, partnerships, and long-term growth. In her role, she is instrumental in operational planning and organizational development, particularly in the areas of crisis intervention training and law enforcement consulting. Susan helps coordinate initiatives with government agencies, law enforcement partners, and community stakeholders to address pressing needs in public safety and mental health awareness.
She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Business and Communications from Arizona State University, which equips her with a solid foundation in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and operational management. Her academic background enables her to effectively guide complex initiatives, streamline processes, and foster strong partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
Susan brings extensive experience in operational leadership across technology, compliance, and customer support environments. Her previous roles include Senior Payments Compliance Analyst, Manager of Technical Support, Customer Support Manager, and Customer Experience Leader, where she managed compliance operations, led cross-functional teams, and developed scalable service and performance management systems.
Her work focuses on building an effective operational infrastructure, improving workflows, and translating regulatory and policy requirements into practical procedures. She is recognized for strengthening team performance, optimizing operational processes, and implementing systems that enhance efficiency, accountability, and sustainable growth.
Moreover, Susan has a personal connection to the mission of the organization through her family’s ties to law enforcement, with her spouse having served in the profession. This connection provides her with a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by law enforcement officers and underscores her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote mental health awareness and strengthen partnerships between public safety professionals and the communities they serve.
Through her leadership at Practical Law Enforcement Crisis Solutions, Susan applies her operational expertise and personal perspective to advance the organization’s mission and support collaborative solutions that reinforce public safety and community partnership.
Amanda's Honors and Experience
Education
October 2020 to Present
Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Doctor of Behavioral Health
September 2016 to 2019
Grand Canyon University, College of Doctoral Studies in Organizational Leadership, Behavioral Health
December 2003
Northern Arizona University, Master of Education, Counseling & Human Relations
July 1997
University of Alabama at Huntsville, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Experience
Mesa Police Department, Mesa, Arizona
Crisis Response Team Detective/CIT Program Coordinator (July 1998-Present)
Manage more than 250 personnel throughout the department who are certified as CIT Trained. Responsible for initial and yearly continuing crisis intervention training. Assisted with training more than 650 CIT Officers.
Provide training at all levels for both sworn and non-sworn members regarding crisis response, mental illness, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and Autism. Trained the entire Mesa Police Department in 2016.
Responsible for representing the department across the state and providing various mental health awareness and CISM training.
Coordinate the implementation of the Crisis Response Team and manage all projects associated with the unit’s growth.
Coordinate a partnership with CPR, Inc., working alongside the clinician assigned to the Crisis Response Team as a law enforcement co-responder.
Act as the subject matter expert on crisis intervention, mental illness, aging issues, and developmental disabilities for the agency. Provide insights to command regarding projects and policy, as well as advise on civil litigation involving the City of Mesa.
Serve as team leader for the Peer support team, certified in Critical Incident Stress Management through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. Responded to numerous critical incidents and facilitated CISM debriefs afterward.
Act as a law enforcement liaison with behavioral health providers throughout Maricopa County.
Provide community education events, including Mental Health First Aid tailored for various groups such as law enforcement, firefighters, and the aging population, in addition to autism training featuring “Be Safe the Movie” and community resource fairs focused on behavioral health.
Manage the Residents Assistance Program to facilitate early identification for individuals with disabilities during police encounters.
Complete policy writing and updates related to crisis and mental health response.
Manage the budget, donations, and grants for the Crisis Response Team, including local, tribal, and federal grants. Have successfully written grants for local, federal, and tribal agencies.
Act as the City of Mesa representative on local suicide prevention initiatives.
Bring over two decades of experience in criminal investigations, patrol, field training, community engagement, and youth development.
Provide one-on-one training and direct supervision to new officers in the field, responsible for all phases of their training.
Act as a liaison for the LGBT Community as an active member of the Diversity Team.
Training Classes/Curriculum Development
“Be Safe” the movie (Community Autism Training)
Behavioral Health Response (Required academy training AZ, helped develop statewide curriculum)
Mental Illness Awareness
De-escalation and Communication
Understanding Autism
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Response
Basic Crisis Intervention Training
CIT Training (40-hour class facilitation)
Officer Self-Care and Resiliency
The petition writing process and mental health statutes (Arizona)
Basic Motivational Interviewing
Situational Awareness for Crisis Teams
Cop Culture and responding with law enforcement (for BH providers)
Leadership Experience
Arizona Crisis Intervention Team Association
1st Vice President (2019-current)
St. Luke's Behavioral Hospital
Governing Board Member (2021-2023)
Maricopa Community Crisis Collaborative
Co-Chair (2020-2021)
Mental Health America of Arizona
Elected Board Member (2018-current)
Professional Associations/Advisory Boards
Community Advisory Board for ASU’s Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy
Invited Member (2020-2022)
Mesa Police Department Mental Health Advisory Board
Founding Member (2016-2022)
Mesa Police Department Human Rights Advisory Board
Chairperson (2018-2019)
CIT International Member (2016-current)
Arizona CIT Association
Executive Board Member (2019-current)
National Alliance for Mental Illness Member (2016-current)
East Valley CIT Program Collaboration
Founding Member (2015-current)
Arizona Mental Health and Criminal Justice Coalition
Member (2015-2022)
Arizona Women in Policing Association
Member (2013-current)
Special Olympics/Law Enforcement Torch Run
Mesa Committee Member/Participant (1998-2022)
Academic Services
Western Arizona College-Basic Police Academy
2021-Present
University of Phoenix, Online Campus
Adjunct Faculty (2006-2012)
Everest College, Mesa, Arizona
Adjunct Faculty (2006-2008)
Central Arizona College/Regional Law Officers Training Academy,
Adjunct Faculty (2004-2008)
Awards
Public Safety Partnership Award
Arizona State University Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy, 2020
Detective of the Year
Mesa Police Department, 2019
Shining Star Award
Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, 2018
David’s Hope Crisis Award
Arizona Mental Health and Criminal Justice Coalition, 2017
Crisis Response Officer of Distinction
Arizona Mental Health and Criminal Justice Coalition, 2016
Chief’s Impact Award
Mesa Police Department, 2016
Life-Saving Citation
Mesa Police Department, 2015
Consulting Services
Assisted in developing CIT Programs for several Arizona areas:
Eastern Maricopa County, Western Maricopa County, Navajo County, Gila County, Pinal County, and Yavapai County.